Silent protests over Bhandara rapes

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Last Updated: Sat, Feb 23, 2013 12:20 hrs

Bhandara (Maharashtra), Feb 23 (IANS) Hundreds took to streets Saturday to protest the rape and murder of three minor sisters of Lakhani village here and also an alleged assault of a girl reported Friday, police said.

"Hundreds of school children took out a silent march to protest the rape and murder of the three minor sisters last week," an official from Lakhani Police Station told IANS.

Many others, including residents of the village and nearby areas also joined the protest.

Girls were seen with a black band tied around their mouths as a mark of protest for the brutal rape and murder of the three sisters.

The three girls - aged five, nine and 11 - had gone missing Feb 14 from Lakhani village of Bhandara district, 65 kms from Nagpur. Their mother lodged a complaint after they did not return from school.

Two days later, some villagers discovered their brutalised bodies from a well near Murmadi village, following which a case of 'accidental death' was registered.

It was only after the villagers took to the streets, blocked traffic and protested outside the police station that police finally lodged a case of murder, kidnapping, rape and other serious charges.

Even as there has been no progress in finding the perpetrators of the crime, another incident of rape was reported in Baleti village of the district Friday.

According to the complaint lodged by the family members, the girl, studying in Class 8 was Tuesday lured by her teacher, who took her to his friend's place on a motorcycle and raped her.

A senior police official said that the teacher, Yadav Borkar, 46, has been arrested and remanded to police custody.